Early Football Previews and Predictions: Game Seven vs Miami (OH)

[catdaddyp]

2024 Rewind:

Miami started slow, dropping their first three games—all against Power Four opponents. From there, the RedHawks found their rhythm, ripping off eight wins with the only blemish coming against Toledo. They were overwhelmed in the MAC Championship Game but responded with a dominant bowl win over Colorado State, finishing the season at 9-5.

 

Chuck Martin enters his 12th season guiding the RedHawks and is now widely considered one of the top coaches in the MAC. 

 

Recruiting under Martin:

*IN MAC*

2014:

On3 - 6th

247 - 12th

 

2015:

On3 - 1st

247 - 1st

 

2016:

On3 - 2nd 

247 - 3rd

 

2017:

On3 - 4th

247 - 6th

 

2018:

On3 - 12th

247 - 11th

 

2019:

On3 - 2nd

247 - 2nd

 

2020:

On3 - 5th

247 - 5th

 

2021:

On3 - 7th

247 - 3rd

 

2022:

On3 - 2nd

247 - 1st

 

2023:

On3 - 9th

247 - 7th

 

2024:

On3 - 3rd

247 - 3rd

 

2025:

On3 - 4th

247 - 3rd

 

 

RedHawks on Offense:

Miami faced the challenge of replacing First Team All-MAC quarterback Brett Gabbert this offseason. They may have done more than just fill the void, potentially upgrading the position with 2023 MAC Player of the Year DeQuan Finn.

 

Keyon Mozee, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season, has moved on. Virginia Tech transfer Jordan Brunson is expected to split snaps with Kenny Tracy, who missed all of 2024 due to injury.

 

The RedHawks went portal crazy at receiver this offseason, with nearly all of their 2024 production now gone. Notre Dame transfer Deion Colzie, Florida State transfer Darion Williamson, and Washington transfer Keith Reynolds are among the names expected to push for starting reps. At tight end, Iowa transfer Grant Leeper appears to have the inside track.

 

Miami finds itself in an unusual spot heading into 2025 without a single returning starter along the offensive line. Stanford transfer Austin Uke is expected to slot in on the interior, while former backup Greg Smith should take over one of the guard spots. Beyond that, the RedHawks will be relying on a heavy dose of youth and inexperience to step up.

 

 

RedHawks on Defense:

Miami seems to field a stout, physical defense every year regardless of who’s wearing the jersey. They’ll need to do it again in 2025, as the entire starting defensive line from last season is gone. The RedHawks do return a pair of key contributors in Nasir Washington and Adam Trick, both of whom saw significant action and will look to step into full-time starting roles.

 

All-MAC linebackers Matt Salopek and Ty Wise have moved on, leaving behind a production void. Part-time starters Corban Hondru and Oscar McWood are back to provide some stability at a position with question marks.

 

Three starters are back in the secondary, including safeties Silas Walters and Eli Blakely, along with cornerback Luke Evans. Blakely earned Third Team All-MAC honors last season. Versatile part-time starter Mychal Yharbrough also returns and can line up just about anywhere in the defensive backfield.

 

Dom Dzioban returns for his senior season and is in line to handle either the kicking or punting duties, depending on how the competition plays out.

 

 

Position Advantage:

QB - Miami

RB - Even

WR - Akron

TE - Akron

OL - Even

DL - Miami

LB - Miami

DB - Miami

ST - Miami

 

 

Way too Early Prediction:

Miami could stumble out of the gate with so many new faces on offense. That said, this is the perfect year to have DeQuan Finn under center. He’s a true difference maker—capable of turning nothing into something—and his playmaking ability will likely make this offensive line look better than it really is.

 

On defense, there’s enough depth for the RedHawks to remain solid. They may not be elite by G5 standards, but the unit should be good enough to keep them in just about every MAC matchup.

 

If there was ever a year to get Miami, this is it. But we’ve consistently struggled against mobile quarterbacks, and if Finn is healthy and running the show, that’s a tough matchup for the Zips. I think this one turns into a low-scoring grind, with Miami escaping 16-14.

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by catdaddyp